Internal clean-in-place method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A Clean in Place assembly for a food processor includes a self-cleaning valve assembly, wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly is in fluid communication with a food flow path in the food processor. The self-cleaning valve assembly includes a valve receiving chamber and valve configured to selectively fluidly connect a food flow path inlet port to a food flow path outlet port; fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to a multivalent port; and fluidly connect a treating solution to a dead space between the valve and the valve receiving cavity. Food product can be selectively drained or retained in food flow path, wherein the self-cleaning valve can be continuously or intermittently exposed to a treating solution for treating non-food flow path portions of the self-cleaning valve assembly.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for treatingat least a portion of a food processor with a treating solution and in afurther configuration to an apparatus and method for treating at least aportion of a food flow path in the food processer with the treatingsolution, wherein the treatment can include at least one of washing,cleaning, rinsing or sanitizing.

Description of Related Art

It is generally understood that fluid dispensing systems having fluidlines that carry fluids to a point of use need cleaning from time totime in order to ensure that no deposits or microorganisms collect inthe fluid lines. For example, beverage distribution systems employ theuse of beverage lines to carry beverages from beverage containers, ortanks, to dispensing units, which dispense the beverages to drinkingcontainers. If for some reason, these beverage lines are not cleaned ona regular basis, the collection of bacteria and deposits therein maycontaminate the beverages thereby making the beverages unsafe to drink.Moreover, in commercial restaurant settings, food and health regulationsactually require the periodic cleaning of beverage dispensing systems.

Similarly, food processors can include a food flow path that requiresperiodic rinsing, cleaning and/or sanitizing.

It is well known to use portable chemical dispenser systems to clean outbeverage lines and other components of beverage dispensing systems. Withthese portable systems, users have become quite effective in meeting thevarious requirements imposed by food and health regulations. However,these prior art methods are extremely time consuming and require theattention of at least one person to manually move the chemical dispensesystems between each of the various beverage lines that require cleaningin a particular beverage dispense system. To add to the frustration,more and more restaurants are offering a larger variety of beveragesthan offered in years past, thereby making an extremely time demandingprocess even more demanding.

Therefore, a need exists for a system for selectively washing, rinsing,cleaning and/or sanitizing a food flow path in a food processor withreduced operator input and time, while providing enhanced efficacy ofthe treatment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one configuration, the present disclosure provides a food processorhaving a food flow path extending from an upstream portion to adownstream portion; a freezer chamber in the food flow path; and aself-cleaning valve fluidly connected to the food flow path, theself-cleaning valve including a valve body defining a valve receivingcavity and a valve moveably disposed within the valve receiving cavityto define a dead space between an exterior surface of the valve and thevalve receiving cavity, wherein the valve includes an alpha passageextending between a first alpha passage port and a second alpha passageport, and wherein the valve is configured to fluidly connect the deadspace to one of the food flow path, an internal path treating solutionline, and an external path treating solution feed line.

In a further configuration, the food processor includes a food flow pathextending from an upstream portion to a downstream portion; a freezerchamber in the food flow path; and a flow control valve connected to thefood flow path, wherein the flow control valve is a self-cleaning valve;wherein the self-cleaning valve includes a valve body defining a valvereceiving cavity having at least one of (i) an external path treatingsolution inlet port, (ii) an internal path treating solution inlet port,and (iii) a food flow path inlet port; a valve at least partly disposedwithin the valve receiving cavity, and a first body-valve seal and aspaced apart second body-valve seal each of the first body-valve sealand the second body-valve seal being disposed between the valve and thevalve receiving cavity, wherein the valve receiving cavity, the valve,the first body-valve seal and the second body-valve seal at least partlydefine a dead space between an exterior of the valve and the valvereceiving cavity.

It is contemplated the self-cleaning valve assembly of the foodprocessor can further include a valve receiving cavity having (i) a foodflow path inlet port; (ii) a food flow path outlet port; (iii) aninternal path treating solution inlet port, and (iv) a multivalent port(which could be a recirculation port and/or a drain port); and the valvebeing moveable relative to the valve receiving cavity and the valvehaving an alpha passage extending between a first alpha passage port anda second alpha passage port, a beta passage extending between a firstbeta passage port and a second beta passage port and an externalchannel, wherein the valve and the valve receiving cavity are configuredto selectively: (i) fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to thefood flow path outlet port; (ii) simultaneously fluidly connect (aa) thefood flow path inlet port to the multivalent port and (bb) fluidlyconnect the alpha passage to the internal path treating solution inletport; (iii) fluidly connect the internal path treating solution inletport to one of the food flow path inlet port and the food flow pathoutlet port; and (iv) simultaneously fluidly connect (cc) the internalpath treating solution inlet port to the food flow path inlet port and(dd) fluidly connect the multivalent port to the food flow path outletport.

The present disclosure also includes a food processor having a reservoirconfigured to retain a food product; a food flow path connected to thereservoir and extending from an upstream portion to a downstreamportion, the food flow path including a freezer chamber having a inletport for receiving food product and an outlet port for passing foodproduct from the freezer chamber; a supply of treating solution; arecirculation line extending from the supply of treating solution andselectively fluidly connected to at least one of the food flow path, theinlet port, and the outlet port; and a self-cleaning valve selectivelyfluidly connecting the recirculation line to the outlet port, theself-cleaning valve including (i) a valve body having a valve receivingcavity, the valve receiving cavity including a food flow path inlet portand a valve body outlet port; and (ii) a valve disposed in the valvereceiving cavity, the valve moveable relative to the valve receivingcavity and defining a dead space between an exterior surface of thevalve and the valve receiving cavity.

The present disclosure further a food processor having a food flow pathextending from an upstream portion to a downstream portion; a freezerchamber in the food flow path; a dispensing valve in the food flow pathto selectively permit passage of food product from the freezer chamber,wherein the dispensing valve includes (i) a valve body defining a valvereceiving cavity; (ii) a valve at least partly retained within the valvereceiving cavity; (iii) a body-valve seal contacting the valve body andthe valve; and (iv) a compression surface acting on the body-valve seal,the compression surface moveable between a first position and a secondposition to increase a pressure of the body-valve seal on one of thevalve body and the valve.

A method is provided including providing a food flow path having afreezer chamber in the food flow path; fluidly connecting a flow controlvalve to an inlet of the freezer chamber, the flow control valveconfigured to selectively permit or preclude passage of food productinto the freezer chamber; fluidly connecting a dispensing valve to anoutlet of the freezer chamber, the dispensing valve including a valvebody defining a valve receiving chamber and a valve, the valve receivingchamber and the valve defining a dead space between an exterior of thevalve and the valve receiving chamber; and passing a treating solutionthrough the dead space

A further method is provided including providing a food flow pathconfigured to pass a food product from a freezer chamber through adispensing valve, the dispensing valve having a dead space separate fromthe food flow path, the dead space at least partly defined by valvereceiving cavity and a valve moveable relative to the valve receivingcavity; and fluidly connecting the dead space to a treating solutionline.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a representative foodprocessor.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational schematic of a further representative foodprocessor.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational schematic of another representative foodprocessor.

FIG. 4 is schematic of an additional representative food processor.

FIG. 5 is schematic of a further representative food processor.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are side elevational views and FIG. 6C is a top planview of the self-cleaning valve assembly as a dispensing valve.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a self-cleaning valve assembly.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of manifold assembly forming a valve bodyhaving a vale receiving cavity.

FIGS. 9A-E are alternative profiles of valves.

FIG. 10 is a front cross sectional view of the self-cleaning valveassembly.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a representative valve.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the valve of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the valve of FIG. 11 showing internalpassages in phantom.

FIG. 15 is a left side elevational view of the valve of FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a right side elevational view of the valve of FIG. 11.

FIG. 17 is a bottom plan view of the valve of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of a valve showing an externalchannel.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a valve, seal pads and controlshaft.

FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of a valve, seal pads and controlshaft showing, in phantom, an alpha passage and a beta passage in thevalve.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a first position of a valve andcompression nut.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a second position of a valvecompression nut.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a valve showing an external channel onthe valve.

FIG. 25 is an elevational view of a plurality of self-cleaning valveassemblies.

FIG. 26 is a schematic showing an alternative flow paths in the foodprocessor having the present self-cleaning valve assembly.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of flow paths through the self-cleaningvalve assembly in a first orientation of the valve.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of flow paths through the self-cleaningvalve assembly in a second orientation of the valve.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of flow paths through the self-cleaningvalve assembly in a third orientation of the valve.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of flow paths through the self-cleaningvalve assembly in a fourth orientation of the valve.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of flow paths through the self-cleaningvalve assembly in a fifth orientation of the valve.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged perspective view of flow paths through theself-cleaning valve assembly in the fifth orientation of the valve.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of flow paths through the valve having analpha passage, a beta passage and a theta passage.

FIG. 34 is a partial cross sectional view of a valve in a valve body.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a manifold assembly operably retainingthree self-cleaning valve assemblies.

FIG. 36 is a cross sectional view showing a self-cleaning valve assemblyin a draw valve configuration in a first position.

FIG. 37 is a cross sectional view showing a self-cleaning valve assemblyin a draw valve configuration in a second position.

FIG. 38 is a cross sectional view showing a self-cleaning valve assemblyin a draw valve configuration in a third position.

FIG. 39 is a cross sectional view showing a self-cleaning valve assemblyin a draw valve configuration in a fourth position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate representative food processors 10. The foodprocessor 10 can be any of a variety of configurations for processingany of a variety of food products including, but not limited to, frozenor chilled food product including but not limited to, beverages such assodas, beer or wine, ice or iced food products, desserts, diary basedproducts as well as cooked and/or extruded food product.

The food processor 10 can include any variety of devices, including butnot limited to soft serve machines, batch freezers, slush freezers,shake freezers, blended ice machines or food processors for extrudingfood products which include flows, grains or meats as well as liquiddispensers for beverages including soft drinks, diary drinks oralcoholic beverages such as fermented or distilled spirits. Thus, thefood product can be any corresponding product for consumption, whereinthe food product may be subjected to processing that includestemperature control including but not limited to raising or lower atemperature, food product mixing, blending, altering, processing orextruding by the food processor 10. The food product can includeprecursor food products that change composition or consistency by virtueof being processed along the food flow path 20, wherein they can beconverted to a processed food product.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, in select configurations, the food processor 10includes a first food flow path 20 and a second food flow path 20′(FIG. 1) each extending from a corresponding input or upstream portionor end 22, such as a food product reservoir 30, which can be a feedtube, a bag, a box, a bag-in-box 34 (FIG. 4), a line inlet or a hopper32 (FIGS. 1-3 and 5) to an output or downstream portion or end 24, suchas a dispensing interface 26 from which the food product (or a foodproduct precursor or food product constituent all herein collectivelyreferred to as food product) exits the food processor. Thus, while thefood product reservoir 30 is shown as a hopper 32, the reservoir can bethe hopper as well as the bag-in-box such that the food product can beintroduced from the feed tube, bags, line inlets, hoppers, bags or boxeslocated above, at or below a level of the food processor 10 or a portionof the food processor. As seen in FIG. 4, the food processor 10 caninclude a mix pump 36 in the food flow path 20 for drawing food productfrom the food product reservoir 30, such as the bag in a box 34, andpassing the food product along the food flow path. A typical foodproduct reservoir 30 is often referred to in the industry as abag-in-box 34.

The input or upstream end 22 of the food flow path 20 is shown in FIG.1, above the output or downstream end, while the input 22 can be locatedbelow the output 24, FIG. 4, wherein the food product is pumped up fromthe food product reservoir 30, such as the bag in a box 34, and alongthe food flow path to exit at the dispensing interface 26. The foodproduct reservoir 30 can be integral, single use such as bag-in-box 34,or multiple use such as the hopper 32. Thus, the food product reservoir30 can be located below the freezer chamber 40 and food product pumpedup into the food flow path 20 by the mix pump 36.

The food product passes, in a normal or forward direction along eachfood flow path 20, from the input 22 to the output 24. Thus, in terms ofthe normal or forward flow direction along each food flow path 20, eachpath includes an upstream portion and a downstream portion.

Although the food processor 10 is set forth in terms of a first foodflow path 20 and a second food flow path 20′, it is understood that anadditional plurality of food flow paths can be employed such as three,four, five or more. As set forth below, the present disclosure isreadily scalable to accommodate additional flow paths. It is furtherunderstood each food flow path 20 can include a plurality of inputs 22with a corresponding smaller or a greater number of outputs 24 dependingon the intending operating function of the food processor 10. Theplurality of inputs 22 and plurality of outputs 24 can correspond to thenumber inlet ports and outlet ports of a processing station, or can begreater or smaller in number, depending on the configuration of the foodprocessor 10. However, for purposes of simplicity, the schematics ofFIGS. 4 and 5 set forth a single food flow path 20.

Alternatively, each food flow path 20 can function primarily as aconduit from the input end 22 to the dispensing interface 26. In theseconfigurations, the food processor 10 can function merely to selectivelydispense the food product or can provide an alteration or conditioningof the food product such as temperature change, carbonation as well asmixing (compounding). Examples of the food processor 10 having thesefood flow paths 20 include dispensing devices such as automated sodadispensers, beer and wine dispensers.

In certain configurations, the food flow path 20 terminates at thedispensing interface 26 which includes at least one dispensing valve 28for selectively passing or allowing passage of the processed foodproduct from the food processor 10. In certain configurations, thedispensing interface 26 includes a plurality of dispensing valves 28,such as but not limited to one, two, three or more. It is contemplatedthat each food flow path 20 can include a dispensing valve 28 or aplurality of food flow paths can terminate at a given dispensing valve.

In one configuration of the food processor 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-3,the food processor includes a front door 12 movable between a closed,operating position and an open, maintenance or cleaning positionallowing access to internal seals. As known in the art, an interfacebetween the door 12 and the freezer chamber 40 can include a peripheralchamber seal or chamber gasket 16. The door 12 is moveable between aclosed (operating) position and an open (maintenance/replacement)position. Although the door 12 is shown in a vertical orientation, it isunderstood the door can be horizontally disposed or inclined between thehorizontal orientation and the vertical orientation. The door 12 can bereleasably retained in the closed position by at least one hand actuatedfastener, such as a thumb screw. Thus, an operator can access theinternal portion of the food processor without requiring tools, byremoving or opening the door 12.

The food processor 10 includes motors for driving the moving componentsas well as a refrigeration system, including a compressor and radiatoras known in the art.

Referring to FIG. 2, the food processor 10 also includes a controller 60for selectively controlling the operation of the components of the foodprocessor such as chillers or coolers, agitation components, motors aswell as valving for flow control as set forth below. The controller 60is generally known in the art and includes a processor for implementinginstructions and a memory for storing instructions as well as acquireddata. The programming of the controller 60 to perform the functions asset forth herein is well known in the art and can be provided bycommercially available controllers in food processors, including softserve machines.

In certain configurations as seen in FIGS. 2-5, each food flow path 20can incorporate a number of processing stations 40 intermediate theupstream or input 22 (such as the food product reservoir) and thedownstream or output 24, (such as a dispensing valve 28). For example,the processing stations 40 can include mixing chambers and temperaturecontrol chambers, such as freezer chambers or barrels, along the foodflow path 20. The mixing chambers include chambers for mixingingredients provided in a stream as well as ingredients from differentinputs such that the mixing chamber provides a volume for initialcombination of different ingredients. The temperature control chamberscan be used to heat the food product, wherein the heating merely changestemperature or imparts a chemical change in the food product. Similarly,the temperature control chamber as the freezer chamber, can reduce thetemperature of the food product, or impart a chemical change. Thefreezer chamber can be alternatively referred to as the freezer barrel.A refrigeration system of the food processor 10 is typically thermallycoupled to the processing station 40 as a temperature control chamberand in certain configurations, the food product reservoir 30, such asthe hopper 32 or the bag-in-box 34.

In further configurations, processing stations 40, such as the mixingchamber and/or temperature control chamber, can include a blade orbeater assembly 36, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, for agitation of the foodproduct within the chamber, such as by rotation of the assembly withinthe chamber. Thus, the given processing station 40 can provide mixing,agitation and/or temperature control of the food product. With respectto the mixing or agitation, collectively referred to as mixing, it isunderstood the mixing can be accomplished by a fixed assembly, whereinthe chamber rotates. That is, there is relative motion between the bladeor beater assembly 36 and the chamber 40.

As seen in FIGS. 2-4, the processing station 40 includes an inlet port44 receiving food product from an upstream portion of the food flow path20 and an outlet port 46 for passing food from the processing station tothe downstream portion of the food flow path. It is understood, theprocessing station can include a plurality of inlet ports 44 forreceiving a plurality of components of the food product or receiving thefood product from a plurality different sources. Similarly, theprocessing station 40 can include a plurality of outlet ports 46 forpassing the food product to a plurality of different downstreamprocessing stations or dispensing interfaces.

In FIG. 4, wherein the food flow path 20 extends from food productreservoir 30 to the inlet port 44 of the freezer chamber 40. The pump 36is disposed in this segment of the food flow path 20 to draw foodproduct from the food product reservoir 30 and deliver the food productthrough the inlet port 44 of the freezer chamber 40.

As seen in FIGS. 2-5, in certain configurations, the food processor 10optionally includes an optional primary drain port 70 in the food flowpath 20 between the input 22 to the output 24, and in certainconfigurations between the food product reservoir and the dispensingvalve 28, and in other configurations between the processing station 40and the dispensing valve 28, and in select configurations the primarydrain port is located in at least one of the processing stations. Thus,the drain port 70 can be upstream of, downstream of, or located withinthe processing station 40. In one configuration of the food processor10, the primary drain port 70 is in at least one of the food flow path20 and the processing station 40, such as the freezer chamber. Theprimary drain port 70 is separate from the inlet 44 and the outlet 46 ofthe respective processing station 40 and distinct from the dispensing ofthe food product from the food processor 10 in the normal productionmanner through the dispensing interface 26. However, it is understood,the primary drain port 70 is not a requisite for the present treatmentof the food flow path 20.

The primary drain port 70 is fluidly connected to a primary drain line72. As seen in FIG. 4, the primary drain line 72 can be fluidlyconnected to a recirculation line 50 through the primary drain valve 74.

Although shown as fluidly connected to the recirculation line 50, it isunderstood the primary drain line 72 can include an internal portion andcan terminate at either a fitting for connection to an external drain 78or include sufficient length to reach the external drain. Thus, thedrain port 70 can be fluidly connected to an internal drain, such as atank or sump, which can be removable from the food processor 10 orconfigured to be pumped out, as known in the art.

The primary drain valve 74 isolates the primary drain line 72 from thefood flow path 20. Specifically, the primary drain valve 74 isconfigured to selectively pass fluid, including food product, from thefood flow path 20 through the primary drain line 72 to the recirculationline 50 and to a system drain valve 76. While the primary drain valve 74can be spaced from the primary drain port 70, in one configuration theprimary drain valve 74 is at the primary drain port 70 and canfunctionally define the primary drain port.

As seen in FIGS. 2-5, in select configurations of the food processor 10includes a flow control valve 54 intermediate the food product reservoir30 such as the bog-in-box 34, feed tube, the inlet 22, or the hopper 32and the processing station 40. The flow control valve 54 is moveablebetween a closed position precluding flow from the food productreservoir 30, such as the hopper 32 or the bag in the box 34, to theprocessing station 40 and an open position permitting flow from the foodproduct reservoir to the processing station. Thus, the flow controlvalve 54 can function as an isolating valve for selectively isolating afirst portion of the flood flow path 20 from a second portion of thefood flow path. By isolating a first portion of the food flow path 20,flow between the first portion and a second portion of the food flowpath is terminated.

It is contemplated that each of the inlet port 44, the drain port 70 andthe outlet port 46 of the processing chamber 40 can be associated withor controlled by a corresponding flow control valve 54. For example, theflow control valve 54 is shown controlling flow in the forward directionalong the food flow path 20 into the inlet port 44 of the processingstation 40. The primary drain valve 74 selectively controls flow throughthe primary drain 70 and the dispensing valve 28 selectively controlsflow through the outlet port 46 of the processing station 40. It isunderstood one, two or all of these valves can be self-cleaning valveassemblies as set forth below.

Referring to FIG. 4, the recirculation line 50 is selectively connectedto the inlet port 44 through the flow control valve 54, to the primarydrain port 70 through the primary drain valve 74 and to the outlet port46 though the dispensing valve 28, wherein the recirculation line isconnected to the system drain valve 76 and thus to the system drain 78.

Referring to FIG. 4, the recirculation line 50 extends from a solutioninput line 80 to the valve associated with each of the food flow path toinlet port 44, the outlet port 46, and the optional drain port 70 of thefreezer chamber 40.

The treating solution input line 80 presents a treating solution, whichcan include or function as a motive fluid, to the food flow path 20 andinto the processing station 40, directly into the processing station orto the valves as set forth below, as well as various treatment portalssuch as spray booths. In one configuration, the treating solution inputline 80 is selectively connected or connectable to the inlet port 44,the outlet port 46 and/or the drain port 70 of the processing chamber 40such as through the associated respective valves. The treating solutioninput line 80 includes valving configured to fluidly connect a source ofpressurized water such as a public utility water or an integralreservoir. The pressurized water can be provided from an externalpressurized source or through a tank and pump in the food processor, asregulated by the controller 60. As set forth below, the treatingsolution input line 80 can be used to deliver the treating solution tothe food flow path 20, the internal path treating solution line, as wellas the external path treating solution feed line. While these lines canbe separate, they can come from the treating solution input line andhence from a common source of the treating solution, or the separatelines can have separate sources of treating solution.

In certain instances of treating the food flow path 20, including butnot limited to cleaning, rinsing, or sanitizing the food processor 10, atreating solution is passed through at least a portion of the food flowpath.

The term treating solution is intended to encompass a fluid for treatinga portion of the food processor 10 including cleaning, rinsing, orsanitizing solutions, as well as combinations or mixtures. The cleaning,rinsing, or sanitizing referred to herein as treating. For purposes ofdescription, the present system is set forth in terms of using thetreating solution, however it is understood the term treating solutionencompasses cleaning agents as well as a single constituent solutionsuch as but not limited to water (or other liquid) such as a rinse thatmay be employed. The term treating solution also includes a gas or vaporsuch as steam as well as other gas. It is understood, the present systemcan employ any of a variety of cleaning, rinsing, or sanitizing solutionmaterials including liquids, gases and combinations thereof, includingheated water, such as to between 120° F. and 170° F. The treatingsolution can be at least partly formed by an addition of an acidic orbasic wash concentrate to public utility water. Exemplary acidic washesfor the treating solution include citric, lactic, malic, acetic, adipic,fumaric, glutaric, tartaric, succinic, propionic, aconitic, sorbic,gluconic, ascorbic, and/or humic acids and at least one of sodiumdodecyl sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.

The treating solution can include a commercially available product, suchas LEXX brand concentrates by ProNatural Brands, wherein theconcentrates are introduced to a water flow to create a selectedconcentration or chemistry of the treating solution.

The flow of the treating solution through the portion of the food flowpaths 20 can be in the forward, normal direction, or a reversedirection. The normal, or forward flow, originates at the input 22, orat least an upstream location spaced from the dispensing interface 26,and terminates at the output 24, or at least a downstream locationnearer to the dispensing interface. That is, the normal directionincludes the same direction as the food product to be dispensed flowingthrough the food flow path 20. The reverse flow, or reverse direction,originates at the output 24, or at least downstream location (relativeto the forward flow) and terminates at the input 22, or at least anupstream location (relative to the forward flow). That is, the reverseflow flows opposite to the direction the food product passes through thefood flow path 20 during processing for dispensing from the foodprocessor 10. The reverse flow encompasses flow in a reverse directionalong a portion of the food flow path 20 or along at least substantiallythe entire length of the food flow path.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the treating solution input line 80 can alsoinclude a supply line 84 to an external spray booth 86. The externalspray booth 86 can be a sealable volume having the treating solutionline inlet and a booth outlet for draining, wherein the booth is sizedto receive a component to be treated with the treating solution.

The treating solution source can be internal to the food processor 10,external to the food processor or a combination of internal and externalcomponents. For example, in the internal configuration, the foodprocessor 10 can include a treating solution reservoir 92 within thefood processor, wherein the treating solution reservoir is sized toretain a sufficient volume of the solution to perform the intendedoperation on the food flow path 20. In the external configuration, thetreating solution input line 80 can function as a treating solutionsource, which is selectively connectable to the food flow path 20. Inthe combination configuration, the food processor 10 can include atreating solution concentrate or component reservoir(s) 94 from which aconcentrate, component or additive is selectively entrained into a flowin the treating solution input line 80 which is then introduced into thefood flow path 20. The treating solution input line 80 can also befluidly connected an external path treating solution feed line 88, asseen in FIGS. 25 and 26, wherein the external path treating solutioninput line is fluidly connected to the self-cleaning valve assemblies,as set forth below. Thus, the external path treating solution feed line88 is fluidly connected to the source of treating solution, such as thetreating solution reservoir 92, the treating solution concentratereservoir 94 or the treating solution input line 80. The external pathtreating solution feed line 88 can include a check valve to prevent foodproduct from entering the external path treating solution feed line.

It is understood the treating solution reservoir 94 and the treatingsolution concentrate reservoir 92 can be a single reservoir or aplurality of reservoirs corresponding to the intended treating solutionsto the introduced into the food flow path 20. That is, there may be aseparate cleaning solution and separate sanitizing solution as well as arinse solution with corresponding cleaning solution concentratereservoir, sanitizing solution concentrate reservoir, and rinsingsolution concentrate reservoirs 92.

The reservoir 92 of treating solution or the treating solutionconcentrate reservoir 94 can be pressurized to provide the motive forcefor the introduction of the treating solution into the food flow path 20or the combination of the components into the treating solution. Thepressurization can be accomplished by any of a variety of knowmechanisms including bottled gas as well as compressor pumps, eitherindependent of the food processor 10 or integral with the foodprocessor. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an air supply 96 can be fluidlyconnected to the recirculation line 50 as well as the treating solutioninput line 80 to function in the treatment of the food flow path 20, aswell as the self-cleaning valves. The combining of the treating solutionconcentrate with the motive fluid can be accomplished by a variety ofmechanisms including but not limited to a metering pump, having a givenvolume per stroke or cycle as well as in-line dispensers for dispensingin response to flow, such as monitored by a flow meter for regulating astroke volume or frequency of stroke, or by a venturi as well as directuser introduction to obtain a given concentration of solutionconcentrate in the treating solution that is generated to treat the foodprocessor 10. Alternatively, a concentrate pump can be used to meter ina predetermined volume (or mass) of concentrate to the treating solutioninput line 80. Further, a flow of water can be passed through areservoir of solution concentrate to mix with the solution concentrateand then pass the resulting mixture to the treating solution input line80.

The communication of the respective treating solution reservoir 92,concentrate reservoir 94 and the treating solution input line 80(solution input line) can include valving to preclude or permit flow inaccordance with the intending operations. The valving can be operablecontrolled by the controller 60. The control can be by virtue ofindividual valve control, or the concentrate pump, or implementation ofa procedure or protocol involving a plurality of valve controls andassociated timing. It is understood, the valves for communicating thetreating solution to the relevant portion of the food flow path 20 canbe manually operated.

For example, while the food processor 10 is shown with the treatingsolution input line 80 connected to a municipal water supply, it iscontemplated the food processor can include a motive flow reservoir anda pump or just the pump communicating with the treating solution inputline 80 for providing the motive flow in the treating solution inputline 80. As with the valving of the food processor 10, the pump can beoperably connected to the controller 60.

It is further contemplated the food processor 10 can include a varietyof sensors know in the art, such as temperature sensors, flow sensors,flow meters, ph sensors, clarity or flow content sensors typicallyoperably connected to the food flow path 20, the treating solution inputline 80 or the drain lines and which can be operably connected to thecontroller 60 for verifying or monitoring or initiating the protocolsimplementable by the controller (or the food processor), including butnot limited to introducing a sufficient amount of concentrate to asolvent to obtain a treating solution of a predetermined concentration.

The present disclosure provides a self-cleaning valve assembly 200, asseen in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, in the food flow path 20 and in oneconfiguration, the self-cleaning valve assembly is in the door 12 of thefood processor 10 and in further configurations the self-cleaning valveassembly is in place of the dispensing valve 28 in the food flow path.That is, the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can selectively dispensefood product from the food flow path 20 of the food processor 10. Thus,a 4-way self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can selectively dispense foodproduct from the food processor 10. However, it is recognized theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be located separate or outside ofthe door 12, depending of the specific configuration of the foodprocessor 10.

While the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 is set forth in thefunctional location of the dispensing valve 28, it is understood theself-cleaning valve assembly can be located in any of a variety oflocations in the food processor 10. The locations of the self-cleaningvalve assembly 200, include, but are not limited to, the food flow path20 intermediate the input end 22 and the output end 24. It is understoodthe self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be located in any of a varietyof locations in the food processor 10, and particularly in the food flowpath 20, including replacing the primary drain valve 74 and/or the flowcontrol valve 54. That is, the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can belocated where the valve assembly can direct or re-direct a flow of foodproduct or treating solution into or out of the food flow path 20 aswell as receive treating solution from external to the food flow path,such as a dead space in the self-cleaning valve assembly 200. As seen inFIG. 1, the self-cleaning valve assembly is located as the dispensingvalve in the door 12.

Referring to FIG. 7, a schematic of the self-cleaning valve assembly 200is shown, wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly includes a valve body220 having a valve receiving cavity 330 and a valve 420 at least partlyretained within the valve receiving cavity.

It is understood the valve body 220 can have a variety ofconfigurations, such as single valve receiving cavity or a plurality ofvalve receiving cavities, such as a manifold assembly 260, shown inFIGS. 1, 6C, 8, and 34-39.

The valve receiving cavity 330 includes a food flow path inlet port 340;a food flow path outlet port 350; an external path treating solutioninlet port 360; and a multivalent port 370. In certain configurations,the valve receiving cavity 330 can further include an internal pathtreating solution inlet port 380.

The food flow path inlet port 340 receives food product along the foodflow path 20 from an upstream location, such as the freezer chamber 40.The food flow path outlet port 350 opens to a downstream portion of thefood flow path 20, which can include dispensing the food product fromthe food processor 10. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the food flow pathoutlet port 350 is in the bottom of the valve receiving cavity 330. Itis understood a terminal portion of the food flow path 20 through theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be defined by the valve 420 orpartly or completely defined by the valve body 220 (along with the foodflow path outlet port 350).

The external path treating solution inlet port 360 is fluidly connectedto the external path treating solution feed line 88 (or the treatingsolution input line 80), wherein the external path treating solutionfeed line 88 can be under constant pressure or can be valved (inaddition to the check valve), wherein such valving is regulated manuallyor by the controller 60.

The multivalent port 370 can interface, or cooperatively align, with avariety of lines or valves of the food processor 10 and/or the door 12.The multivalent port 370 can connect to the recirculation line 50 orintermediate valving to connect to the recirculation line, the drain oreven the treating solution input line 80. For example, depending on theconfiguration of the food processor 10, the multivalent port 370 can befluidly connected to the drain line 72 and provide direct passage offood product from the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 (such as receivedfrom the food flow path 20) to the system drain valve. Alternatively,the multivalent port 370 can be fluidly connected to the recirculationline 50, wherein material passing from the self-cleaning valve assembly200, through the multivalent port can be recirculated to a remotelocation of the food flow path 20. It is also contemplated themultivalent port 370 can be fluidly connected to a temporary storage. Itis contemplated the temporary storage can retain the food product,temperature control the food product including chilling, orre-pasteurization or both, prior to the food product being reintroducedinto the food flow path, such as but not limited to upstream of thefreezer chamber 40. Thus, the multivalent port 370 can function as arecirculation port and/or a drain port.

As set forth below, in select configurations of the self-cleaning valveassembly 200, the valve receiving cavity 330 can further include theinternal path treating solution inlet port 380, wherein the internalpath treating solution inlet port is connected to the treating solutioninput line 80 of the food processor 10, or to the external path treatingsolution feed line 88 that supplies the external path treating solutioninlet port 360. The internal path treating solution inlet port 380 canbe valved or cooperate with an upstream valve for selectively presentingtreating solution at the internal path treating solution inlet port.

The valve receiving cavity 330 further includes a flush drain line port394, shown in FIG. 34. The flush drain line port 394 is outside of,fluidly separate from, the dead space 390 and typically outside of thebody-valve seals 480, 480′. The flush drain line port 394 can connect tothe system drain valve 76 or a separate flush drain line from the foodprocessor 10. As set forth below, an external channel 426 on the valve420 can be located to provide fluid communication from between the deadspace 390 and the flush drain line port 394, wherein the flush drainline is separate from the food flow path 20. However, it is furthercontemplated the flush drain line port 394 can fluidly connect to thefood flow outlet port 350 of the valve receiving cavity 330 and thuspass treating solution from a dead space to a drain.

The valve 420 is configured to be moveably positionable within at leasta portion of the valve receiving cavity 330. Although FIGS. 7, 10, and13-25 show the valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420 asspherical, it is understood the valve receiving cavity and the valve canbe any of a variety of complementary configurations that provide for thenecessary positioning to connect the respective ports and passages asset forth herein. For example, referring to FIGS. 9A-9E, the valvereceiving cavity 330 and valve 420 can have elliptical, or oval crosssections. It is also contemplated the valve receiving cavity 330 andvalve 420 can be conical or frusto-conical.

In select configurations, such as in FIGS. 7 and 10, there is at leastone body-valve seal 480 between the valve 420 and the valve receivingcavity 330 of the valve body 220 that forms a sealed interface betweenthe valve body and the valve. As seen in the FIG. 10, in oneconfiguration, there is a first body-valve seal 480 and a spaced apartsecond body-valve seal 480′.

As seen in FIGS. 7, 10, 27, 28, 33, 34 dead space 390 is generallydefined by the valve receiving cavity 330, an exterior surface 423 ofthe valve 420, the first body-valve seal 480 and the spaced apart secondbody-valve seal 480′. In one configuration, one body-valve seal 480 isproximal to a bottom of the valve 420 and the remaining body-valve seal480′ is proximal to a top of the valve. The dead space 390 definedbetween the valve receiving cavity 330 and the external surface 423 ofthe valve 420 is not a part of the food flow path 20 and is created bythe operating tolerances necessary for the relative movement of thevalve 420 and the valve body 220. Generally, the dead space 390 is aportion of the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 between a portion of thevalve 420 and the valve body 220, and typically a portion that is not inthe food flow path 20. However, it is understood the dead space may be aportion of the food flow path 20 having a restricted flow or a portionthat is exposed to the food flow path in an open state of theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 or a closed state of the self-cleaningvalve.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 9A-E, 10, 11-19, 21, the valve 420 includes analpha passage 430 and a beta passage 440. The alpha passage 430 extendsbetween a first alpha passage port 432 and a second alpha passage port434. The beta passage 440 extends between a first beta passage port 442and a second beta passage port 444. The specific configuration of thealpha passage 430 and the beta passage 440 is at least partly dictatedby the configuration of the valve chamber 330 and the valve 420, whichin turn is at least partly dictated by the available size valve body 220such as many be located in the manifold assembly 260.

Although, the present configuration is shown with the alpha passage 430and the beta passage 440 in the valve 420, it is understood theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 can include just the alpha passage orthe alpha passage in conjunction with the beta passage, a theta passage,a gamma passage, a delta passage and/or more passages. In addition, asset forth below, the passages can have any of a variety ofconfigurations as dictated by the intended operating setting andconstructions of the valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420.

In one configuration shown in FIG. 33, the valve 420 can include a thetapassage 450, wherein the theta passage extends from a first thetapassage port 452 to a second theta passage port 454. It is contemplatedthe first theta passage port 452 can be exposed to the dead space andthe second theta passage port 454 can be exposed to one of the otherpassages, such as the alpha passage 430 or to the flush drain line port394, shown in FIG. 34. In one configuration, the first theta passageport 452 is open to the dead space 390 when positioned correctly withinthe body-valve seal 480. At least one of the body-valve seals 480 caninclude a channel or notch configured to align with such oriented thetapassage. The second theta passage port 454 then communicates with thesecond alpha passage port 434 which is technically part of the food flowoutlet port when the valve 420 is so oriented. Thus, the dead space 390can be exposed to the treating solution while simultaneously cleaningsecond alpha passage port 434.

The valve 420 can be formed of a variety of materials, such as but notlimited to metals, alloys and composites, such as but not limited tostainless steel. It is contemplated that the valve 420 can have asurface finish that inhibits food product collection and promotescleaning, such as a mirror finish or polish. In further configurations,the valve 420 can include or have an oligodynamic coating, includingknown oligodynamic materials such as, but not limited to, aluminum,copper, silver, nickel or others as compliant with food safetyregulations. Alternatively, if the valve 420 is polymeric, the polymercan include antimicrobial additives as know in the industry and ascompliant with food safety regulations.

As seen in the FIGS. 20-24, the exterior surface 423 of the valve 420includes a plurality of seal pads 470. A subset of the seal pads arerings, or seal rings 472, with a central aperture and a further subsetof the seal pads have a continuous, or intermittent, or selectivelymoveable (such as between an engaged position and a disengaged,non-sealing position) sealing surface forming a disc 474 or otherperiphery. It is further contemplated the seal pads 470 can be a singleintegral body that is operably engaged with the valve 420 or valvereceiving cavity 330. For purposes of description, the seal pads 470 areset forth as a plurality of separate elements, however it is understoodthe pads can be portions of a single integral body. Each of the firstalpha passage port 432, the second alpha passage port 434, the firstbeta passage port 442, and the second beta passage port 444 has aconcentric seal ring 472 on the adjacent surface of the valve body 420.That is, one seal ring 472 is located to surround each of the firstalpha passage port 432, the second alpha passage port 434, the firstbeta passage port 442, and the second beta passage port 444. As seen inthe Figures, the seal pads 470 project from the exterior of the valve420 and depending on the position of the valve can occlude selectiveports of the valve receiving cavity 330.

In one configuration, the valve 420 and corresponding seal pads 470 canbe configured to preclude occlusion of the external path treatingsolution inlet port 360 and thus provide continuous exposure of deadspace 390 to the external path treating solution inlet port. It iscontemplated, the valve body 420 and location of the external pathtreating solution inlet port 360 in the valve receiving cavity 330 canbe configured so that the orientation of the valve relative to the valvereceiving cavity selectively exposes the dead space to the external pathtreating solution input line 88 as shown in FIG. 26.

While it is understood the seal pads 470 can be of differentperipheries, such as but not limited to elongate, convoluted ormultifaceted, for purposes of description, the seal pads are set forthherein as circular disc seals. That is, it is contemplated the seal pad470 can have a shaped selected to occlude selective ports of the valvereceiving cavity 330 as the valve 420 is positioned relative to thevalve receiving cavity so as to control exposure of the dead space 390to the respective port in the valve receiving cavity.

Thus, the seal pads 470 can be sized and located to ensure occlusion, orsealing, of the respective port in the valve receiving cavity 330 duringmovement of the valve 420 relative to the valve receiving cavity. Forexample, in one configuration, the seal pads 470 are configured topreclude or inhibit exposure of the food flow path inlet port 340 to thedead space 390. That is, the valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve420 are configured to minimize or preclude direct fluid connectionbetween the food flow path 20 and the dead space 390. However, as setforth below, it is recognized that there may be a presence of some foodproduct in the dead space 390. Further, although one configuration ofthe present system provides for minimizing the amount of food product inthe dead space 390, depending on the frequency of cleaning of the deadspace, it is contemplated that the dead space can tolerate periodicexposure to the food flow path inlet port 340 or the food flow pathoutlet port 350.

While the Figs. depict the valve 420 having the projecting seal pads470, it is contemplated that the interior surface 333 of the valvereceiving cavity 330 can define or retain the seal pads. In a furtherconfiguration, the valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420 can beconfigured to expose the seal pads 470 to a locally increased spacing orseparation between the valve and the valve receiving cavity. Thisincreased spacing allows for a controlled gapping between the seal pads470, the valve 420 and the valve receiving cavity 330 that is sufficientfor treating solution introduced into the dead space 390 to treat anentire exterior of the seal pads.

In one configuration, the seal pads 470 are formed of an ultra-highmolecular weight polyethylene (UWMW-PE). It has been found that thismaterial does not require secondary lubricants and thus does not exposethe food flow path 20 to lubricants. The seal pads 470 can includeantimicrobial additives as compliant with food safety regulations.

In addition, as seen in the FIGS. 19-24, the valve 420 can include atleast one external channel 426. In select configurations, the externalchannel 426 is selectively exposed to the external path treatingsolution feed line 88 via the external path treating solution port 360and at least one of the multivalent port 370, the food flow path outletport 350, or the flush drain line port 394. It is further contemplatedthe external channel 426 can extend to provide fluid communicationbetween the dead space 390 and either or both of the alpha passage 430and the beta passage 440, thereby introducing treating solution intoportions of, or the entire alpha passage and/or beta passage. Theexternal channel 426 can have any of a variety of configurations asdictated by the intended operating characteristics and configuration ofthe valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420.

The external channel 426 is configured to allow drainage of the deadspace 390 passed at least one of the body-valve seals 480 and the sealrings 472, such as shown in FIG. 24, to the flush drain line port which,as set forth above, can communicate with the system drain of the foodprocessor 10.

As seen in FIGS. 10, and 20-25, the valve 420 is coupled to a controlshaft 484 for positioning the valve 420 relative to the valve receivingcavity 330 and hence relative to the ports in the valve receivingcavity. Although the positioning is set forth as rotational displacementabout a single axis, it is understood the rotation could be about two orthree axes. Further, the relative movement could be accomplished bytranslation or axial movement as well as combinations thereof.

Each valve 420 is rotatable about an axis, wherein the control shaft 484extends from each valve along the axis. As seen in FIGS. 25 and 35, thecontrol shaft 484 can include a projecting guide pin 486 and the handle488. In a further configuration, it is contemplated the valve 420 andthe valve body 220 can include a rack and pinion, wherein the rack islocated on the exterior 423 of the valve 420 and the pinion extends fromthe valve body to drive the valve. A controllable motor or drive,operably connected to the controller 60, engages the pinion to positionthe valve 420 such that the motor or drive is operably controlled by thecontroller.

As seen in FIGS. 25 and 35, the present system also includes a guidecollar 250. The guide collar 250 is sized to rotatably receive a portionof the control shaft 484 and includes a guide slot 252 sized to receivethe guide pin 486. The guide slot 252 can include detents or capturerecesses for engaging and seating the guide pin, and hence guide rod, ina particular location. Alternatively, the valve 420 can include a gearshaft extending along the axis of rotation, or the control shaft 484 canincludes a gear, wherein the gear is fixed to the gear shaft, or thecontrol shaft, and the controllable motor or drive engages the gear toposition the valve and wherein the motor or drive can be operablycontrolled by the controller 60.

While the guide slot 252 is shown as planar, it is understood thatconfigurations employing movement of the valve 420 about two axes, threeaxes as well as translational movement, the guide collar 250 may haveguide slots extending in three dimensions.

While actuation of the control shafts 484 is shown by the extendingmanually actuated handles 488, it is understood movement of the valve420 can be imparted by actuators or servos, which are connected to thecontroller 60. Upon the controller 60 actuating the self-cleaning valveassemblies 200, the present system provides for reduced operator inputto clean the food processor 10. In addition, the self-cleaning valveassembly 200 can extend the period of operation of the food processor 10between mechanical disassembly and cleaning.

As seen in the FIGS. 10, 20, 22, 23, 25, and 35, the valve body 220 canengage a compression surface such as a threaded compression nut 230which acts upon at least one of the body-valve seals 480 and the valve420. Setting of the compression nut 230 provides for the selectiveincrease of pressure or compression of the body-valve seals 480 and 480′as well as the seal pads 470 including the seal rings 472 and the discs474, thereby accommodating normal wear and compression of the seals, soas to minimize leakage of the self-cleaning valve assembly 200. Thecompression nuts 230 can be located at a top of the valve 420, thebottom of the valve or both at the top and the bottom of the valve.Thus, compression of the bottom body-valve seal 480 can be adjustedwithout requiring disassembly of the self-cleaning valve assembly 200.Thus, as the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can further extend timebetween required disassembly as well as accommodate normal wear of thebody-valve seal, thereby extending the useful life of the body-valveseal. However, it is understood the compression surface can be anysurface that exerts a pressure on the body-valve seal 480 and thebody-valve seal can be a close or tight fitting sealing interface suchas UHMWPE, ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene.

Thus, as seen in FIGS. 4 and 25, the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 isin fluid communication with the external path treating solution feedline 88, the food flow path 20 and the recirculation line 50. Referringto FIGS. 1 and 4, the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 provides for thedispensing of food product from the food flow path 20 or the diversionof food product from the food flow path 20 through the multivalent port370 to the recirculation line, which in turn can pass to the drain,buffer or storage.

That is, the present system provides a self-cleaning valve assembly 200in the food flow path 20 of the food processor 10 and particularly a3-way self-cleaning valve, though the system is not limited to a 3-wayvalve, and can be a four, five, or six-way self-cleaning valve.

Thus, in a first configuration, the valve receiving cavity 330 includesthe (i) the food flow path inlet port 340; (ii) the food flow pathoutlet port 350; (iii) the external path treating solution inlet port360; and (iv) the multivalent port 370 in conjunction with (i) the valve420 having the alpha passage 430 extending between the first alphapassage port 432 and the second alpha passage port 434 and the betapassage 450 extending between the first beta passage port 442 and thesecond beta passage port 444, and the external channel 426, and the (ii)seal pads 470, configured as individual seal rings are configured toselectively:

1.1. occlude the food flow path inlet port and the multivalent port andsimultaneously fluidly connect the external path treating solution inletport 360 to the dead space 390 and expose the external channel 426 tothe flush drain line; and

1.2. fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to the food flow pathoutlet port; and

1.3. fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to the multivalentport.

Specifically in 1.1, the food flow path inlet port 340 and themultivalent port 370 are occluded by the valve 420 and particularly bythe seal pads 470, the second alpha passage port 434 is open to the foodflow path outlet port 350 and the external path treating solution inletport 360 is exposed to the dead space 390 and the external channel 426is exposed to the flush drain line port 394. This allows isolation ofthe food product and the food flow path 20, while the dead space 390 ofthe self-cleaning valve assembly 200 is treated (which includes any ofwash, clean, rinse, or sanitize). As seen in FIG. 26, the treatingsolution can be continuously presented through the external pathtreating solution feed line 88 to the external path treating solutioninlet port 360 and into the dead space 390, wherein the treatingsolution can then pass via the external channel 426 to the system drain.

Specifically in 1.2, the food flow path inlet port 340 is aligned thefirst alpha passage port 432 and the second alpha passage port 434 isaligned with the food flow path outlet port 350 to pass food productthrough the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 such as to dispense foodproduct from the food processor 10; the first beta passage port 442 isaligned with the multivalent port 370, and the external path treatingsolution inlet port 360 is exposed to the dead space 390 and theexternal channel 426 is not exposed to the flush drain line port 394.

Specifically in 1.3, the food flow path inlet port 340 is aligned withthe first beta passage port 442 and the second beta passage port 444 isaligned with the multivalent port 370; the first alpha passage port 432is isolated and the second alpha passage port 434 is aligned with foodflow path outlet port 350, and the external path treating solution inletport 360 is exposed to the dead space 390 and the external channel 426is not exposed to the flush drain line port 394.

Thus, the valve 420 and the orientation with respect to the valvereceiving cavity 330 provide the recited flows for selectivelyimplementing treatment of the food flow path 20, or portions of the foodflow path, including the freezer chamber 40 and the self-cleaning valveassembly 200. In addition, the valve 420 can be orientated to providefor an external application of treating solution for treatment of thealpha passage 430.

This configuration can further include the theta passage 450 seen inFIG. 33. The theta passage 450 fluidly connects the dead space 390 toone of the other passages, such as the alpha passage 430 or the betapassage 440. Specifically, the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 isconfigured to pass treating solution through the dead space 390 as wellas part of the food flow path 20, such as the alpha passage 430 in thevalve 420.

It is further contemplated that the valve receiving cavity 330 and thevalve 420 can be configured to fluidly connect the food flow path inletport 340 to the food flow path outlet port 350, with the external pathtreating solution inlet port 360 fluidly connected to the dead space 390and the external channel 426 exposed to the flush drain line port 394.That is, the exterior channel 426 on the valve 420 can be oriented toextend across one of the seal pads 470 such as the seal ring 472 and thebody-valve seals 480, 480′ or the dead space 390 can be simultaneouslyexposed to the external path treating solution inlet port 360 and theflush drain line port 394, while one of the alpha passage 430 and thebeta passage 440 fluidly connects the food flow path inlet port 340 tothe food flow path outlet 350.

Second Configuration

In the second configuration, the valve receiving cavity 330 includes thefood flow path inlet port 340; (ii) the food flow path outlet port 350;(iii) the internal path treating solution inlet port 380, (iv) theexternal path treating solution inlet port 360; and (v) the multivalentport 370. The internal path treating solution inlet port 380 isconnected to the treating solution input line 80 (or the external pathtreating solution feed line 88). In this configuration, theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be used to introduce sufficienttreating solution to the food flow path 20, via the flow path solutionline 80, to impart the desired treatment of a portion of the food flowpath within a predetermined time.

In the second configuration, the valve 420 includes the alpha passage430 extending between the first alpha passage port 432 and the secondalpha passage port 434 and the beta passage 440 extending between thefirst beta passage port 442 and the second beta passage port 444, andthe external channel 426, and the (ii) seal pads 470, including the sealrings 472 are configured to selectively:

2.1 occlude the food flow path inlet port 340 and the multivalent port370 and fluidly connect the external path treating solution inlet port360 to the dead space 390 and expose the external channel 426 to theflush drain line port 394;

2.2 fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to the food flow pathoutlet port;

2.3 fluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to the multivalentport; and

2.4 fluidly connect the internal path treating solution inlet port 380to the food flow path inlet port 340.

Specifically in 2.1, the food flow path inlet port 340, the internalpath treating solution inlet port 380 and the multivalent port 370 areoccluded by the valve 420 and particularly the seal pads 470. The secondalpha passage port 432 is open to the food flow path outlet port 350 andthe external path treating solution port 360 is exposed to the deadspace 390 and the external channel 426 is exposed to the flush drainline port 394. This allows isolation of the food product and the foodflow path 20, while the dead space of the self-cleaning valve assembly200 is treated (which includes any of wash, clean, rinse, or sanitize).

Specifically in 2.2, the food flow path inlet port 340 is aligned thefirst alpha passage port 432 and the second alpha passage port 434 isaligned with the food flow path outlet port 350 to pass food productthrough the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 such as to dispense foodproduct from the food processor 10; the first beta passage port 442 isaligned with the multivalent port 370 and the second beta passage port444 is aligned with the internal path treating solution inlet port 380,wherein the valves of the food processor can preclude flow through theinternal path treating solution inlet port, and the external pathtreating solution inlet port 360 is exposed to the dead space 390 andthe external channel 426 is not exposed to the flush drain line port394.

Specifically in 2.3, the food flow path inlet port 340 is aligned withthe first beta passage port 442 and the second beta passage port 444 isaligned with the multivalent port 370; the first alpha passage port 432is aligned with the internal path treating solution inlet port 380 andthe second alpha passage port 434 is aligned with food flow path outletport 350, and the external path treating solution inlet port 360 isexposed to the dead space 390 and the external channel 426 is notexposed to the flush drain line port 394.

Specifically in 2.4, the food flow path inlet port 340 is aligned withthe second beta passage port 444 and the first beta passage port 442 isaligned with the internal path treating solution inlet port 380; thefirst alpha passage port 432 is aligned with the multivalent port 370and the second alpha passage port 434 is aligned with food flow pathoutlet port 350, and the external path treating solution inlet port 360is exposed to the dead space 390 and the external channel 426 is notexposed to the flush drain line port 394.

The second configuration can further include the theta passage 450. Thetheta passage 450 fluidly connects the dead space 390 to one of thepassages, such as the alpha passage 430 or the beta passage 440.Specifically, the first and second beta passage ports 442, 444 and thefirst alpha passage port 432 are occluded by the valve 420, andparticularly the seal pads 470 and the second alpha passage port 434 isaligned with the food flow path outlet port 350, and the internal pathtreating solution inlet port 380 is fluidly connected to the dead space390 and hence first theta passage port 452 and the second theta passageport 454 area exposed to the alpha passage 430. This allows treatment ofthe alpha passage 430 with the treating solution, such as wash, clean,rinse or sanitize. It is understood the treating solution can bepresented to the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 through any of theexternal path treating solution feed line, the internal path treatingsolution line or the food flow path. As set forth above, the treatingsolution can be provided from a common source for each of these lines,or each line can have a separate source. The theta

Depending on the desired construction, the valve body 220 for each of aplurality of valve assemblies 220 can be defined by the manifoldassembly 260, wherein the manifold assembly defines a correspondingnumber of food flow path inlets 340, dispensing ports (or food flow pathoutlet ports 350), multivalent ports 370 (such as recirculation lineports) as well as drain ports and the external path treating solutioninlet ports and the internal path treating solution ports. While theFIGS. illustrate the manifold assembly 260 having a plurality ofrecirculation line ports, drain ports, external path treating solutionfeed line ports, such as a port for each self-cleaning valve in themanifold, it is understood the number of these external ports can bereduced from the present Figs.

In one configuration, the manifold assembly 260 is located in the doorand includes the valve body 220, wherein the valve body defines at leastone valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve receiving cavity retains atleast one valve 420.

As seen in the FIGS. 8 and 35, the manifold assembly 260 can includethree valve receiving cavities 330. However, it is understood themanifold assembly 260 can include one, two, three, four, five, six ormore valve receiving cavities 330, wherein each valve receiving cavityincludes a corresponding valve body 420, wherein the valve body ispositionable or moveable relative to the corresponding valve receivingcavity. It is understood that each valve receiving cavity 330 andcorresponding valve body 420 can be similarly or differently configured.As the valve 420 is positionable relative to the valve receiving cavity330, it is understood the valve body can be rotatable; translatable orboth relative to the valve chamber. For purposes of description, asingle valve receiving cavity 330 and corresponding valve body 420 havebeen set forth in detail.

The manifold assembly 260 can be configured such that each food flowpath 20 of the food processor 10 can be divided to one or moreself-cleaning valve assemblies 200. In one configuration of the manifoldassembly 260, each food flow path 20 is uniquely connected to acorresponding self-cleaning valve assembly 200 and each food flow pathis connected to a third self-cleaning valve assembly.

It is also recognized that the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 is setforth as independently functioning, acting in parallel with the otherself-cleaning valve assemblies, it is understood the valve assembliescan be serially disposed so that an input or output from one valveassembly is the output or input to a second valve assembly. Further,while each of the valve receiving cavities 330 in the present manifoldassembly 260 has been shown as part of a multi-port self-cleaning valveassembly, it is contemplated that the individual valve functions can beseparated into a plurality of in-line or sequential valves, wherein suchvalves can be self-cleaning as necessary to accommodate the requiredcleaning and performance for local, state and federal regulations. Thatis, if a given valve directs or contacts food product, then such valvemay be self-cleaning, while a valve that merely directs or contactstreating solution may not need to be self-cleaning.

It is further contemplated that as the term treating solutionencompasses a gas, such as air, wherein the pressurized air can bepassed through the treating solution line 80, and or the external pathtreating solution feed line 88, thereby exposing the dead space 390 aswell as the food flow path inlet port 340, the food flow path outletport 350, the alpha passage 430 and the beta passage 440 to apressurized air flow which can be used to dry the respective channel, orat least remove sufficient liquid from the system, such that uponre-freezing any residual liquid does not detrimentally impact the systemor performance.

The present self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be used in the foodprocessor 10, such as in, but not limited to the door 12, and thermallyexposed to the cooling loop of the food processor (or a separate cooleror chiller), wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly can be maintainedat an operating temperature that maintains the operating temperature ofthe food product. For example, the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 canfunction at less than 40° F., such as +/−7° F., as well as be cleaned atsuch temperature. Similarly, the material of the body-valve seals aswell as the seal pads 470 can selected to accommodate heat treatment ofthe valve assembly or food flow path 20, such as in a re-pasteurizationprocess for treating the food processor 10, along with food product inthe food flow path.

Thus, the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be used in conjunctionwith a heat treating system. For example, the self-cleaning valve 200can be heated with any of a variety of food processor heating systems toa time-temperature profile that is sufficient to pasteurize (orre-pasteurize) the food product as residing in the food flow channel 20.In select configurations, the time-temperature profile is selected tomeet the time-temperature profile necessary for regulation approvedheating and/or pasteurization of the food product. Thus, theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be heated sufficiently to heat anyfood product within the self-cleaning valve assembly to a sufficienttime-temperature profile to pasteurize (or re-pasteurize) the foodproduct in the self-cleaning valve assembly.

Conversely, the present system can provide the necessary cleaningwithout adversely raising the temperature of food product in portions ofthe food flow path 20 in or near the door 12. That is, the flow controlmechanisms of the door 12 of the food processor 10 can be treatedwithout requiring draining of food product from the freezer chamber 40.The self-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be treated (washed, rinsed,cleaned, or sanitized) without requiring disassembly and with requiringthe draining of food product from the freezer chamber 40. For example,the food flow path 20 can be selectively isolate from the dead space 390and treating solution can be passed through the dead space withoutcontacting any food product in the food flow path 20. It is understoodthat all these treatments can be accomplished with the door 12 in theclosed or operable position. That is, the door 12 now has clean-in-placecapability.

By employing the self-cleaning valve assembly 200, the present systemreduces the downtime of the food processor 10 as well as reduce operatorerror. In addition, the present system reduces the number of valvesthereby reducing cost, complexity and cleaning time while extendingoperable seal life.

Referring to FIGS. 36-39, in yet another configuration, theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 can be implemented in a draw type valvehaving peripheral seals 462 such as O-rings. In this construction, thevalve 420 is cylindrical and includes peripheral grooves 464 to seatcorresponding O-rings 462 and the treating solution input line 80 or theexternal path treating solution feed line 88 extends to the groove 464.Thus, as the treating solution is passed from the treating solutioninput line 80 or the external path treating solution feed line 88, thetreating solution exits from under the O-ring 462, at least slightlydisplacing the O-ring and treating the now exposed surfaces withtreating solution. In one configuration, the valve receiving cavity 330can include an accommodating recess 432 spaced from normal operatingpositions, such that upon disposing the valve 420 to locate the O-ring462 adjacent the accommodating recess, the O-ring can be unseated by thepressure of the treating solution flow.

By providing a self-cleaning valve assembly 200 in the food flow pathand particularly the door 12, the time between mechanical tear down,cleaning and re-assembly of the food processor can be extended to 7days, or 14 days or 28 days to 90 days. Thus, the food processor 10includes a reservoir 30, a food flow path 20 having a freezer chamber 40and a self-cleaning valve assembly 200 in the food flow path, whereinthe self-cleaning valve assembly provides for exposure of the portion ofthe food flow path as well as the portion of the valve assembly that isnot continuously in the food flow path to the treating solution.

Operation

Referring to the FIG. 4, the incorporation of the present self-cleaningvalve assembly 200 in the present food processor 10, includes a nodispense state, wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly is located asthe dispensing valve and is position to preclude flow from the food flowpath 20. The food processor 10 can then be disposed in a dispense state,wherein the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 is positioned to dispensefood product from the food flow path 20 to dispense food product and theremaining valves are positioned to draw (or receive) food product from asupply of food product, such as a bag in box 34 or food productreservoir 30 below the freezer chamber 40. In a further scenario, thepresent system provides for discarding food product from the food flowpath 20, wherein the food flow path can be treated with the treatingsolution. The valves are positioned such that the self-cleaning valve200 connects the food flow inlet port 340 to the multivalent port 370for draining the freezer chamber 40. In a further scenario, the foodprocessor 10 can be configured to recirculate treating solution throughat least portions of the food flow path 20. This allows recirculation ofthe treating solution through the freezer chamber 40 and theself-cleaning valve assembly 200, wherein the mix pump of the foodprocessor can be used to impart the recirculation.

In a further state, the food processor 10 can rinse and clean pump andfood flow path 20 lines, wherein the valves can be used to selectivelydrain or recirculate the treating solution.

In the food processor 10 employing the food product reservoir 30 abovethe freezer chamber 40 to supply the food product, self-cleaning valveassembly 200 can be used to selectively drain food product from the foodflow path 20, as well as selectively recirculate treating solutionthrough portions of the food flow path.

The food processor 10 thus can provide a closed loop system that canreplace the food product within the food flow path 20 with treatingsolution (such as sanitizing, cleaning, sterilizing, or rinsing) duringstandby status of the food processor 10. This not only can provideextended sanitizing to the select portions of the food flow path 20, butit also allows for energy savings coupled with higher product quality asthe food product is not being exposed to multiple extended periods ofbeater agitation otherwise necessary to keep the food product mobile forproduct quality purposes.

Thus, the present disclosure provides for removing food product from atleast a portion of the food flow path 20, treating the portions of thefood flow path with the treating solution; draining the treatingsolution and rinsing, without requiring operator intervention. Thecontroller 60 can then automatically reintroduce food product into thefood flow path 20 in preparation for dispensing finished food product.The present system thus allows the food product to be removed from atleast portions of the food flow path 20, such that those portions of thefood flow path can be treated with treating solution, wherein the foodproduct is only reintroduced into the food flow path after appropriatetreatment of the food flow path and necessary timing for bringing thefood processor 10 back on line.

The self-cleaning valve assembly 200 includes seals and passageways topermit selective exposure of external and internal portions of the valveto the treating solution. For example, in some self-cleaning valveassemblies, a self-flushing ball cooperates with a valve receivingchamber of the valve assembly to provide flow of the food product whenthe valve is open. In one configuration of a self-cleaning valveassembly 200, holes allow the food product to fill the cavity just asthe food product fills the piping. When flushing the lines, the cleaningsolution fills the cavity and displaces the food product. However, ithas been found advantageous for the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 tolimit exposure of portions of the valve to the food product, whileproviding for selective exposure of such portions to the treatingsolution.

Therefore, the food processor 10 can include (a) the reservoir 30configured to retain a food product; (b) the food flow path 20 connectedto the reservoir and extending from the upstream portion 22 to thedownstream portion 24, the food flow path including the freezer chamber40 having the inlet port 44 for receiving food product and the outletport 46 for passing food product from the freezer chamber; (c) thetreating solution source; (d) the recirculation line 50 extending fromthe treating solution source and selectively fluidly connected to atleast one of the food flow path, the inlet port, and the outlet port;and the (e) a self-cleaning valve assembly 200 selectively fluidlyconnecting the recirculation line to the outlet port, wherein theself-cleaning valve assembly includes the valve body 220 having thevalve receiving cavity 330, the valve receiving cavity including thefood flow path inlet port 340 and the food flow path outlet port 350;and (ii) the valve 420 disposed in the valve receiving cavity, the valvemoveable relative to the valve receiving cavity and defining the deadspace 390 between the exterior surface 423 of the valve 420 and thevalve receiving cavity. It is contemplated the dead space 390 is fluidlyconnected to the treating solution source. Further, the dead space 390can be selectively fluidly connected to the treating solution source. Inaddition, the freezer chamber 40 can include the drain port 70.

Thus, a method is providing including (a) providing the food flow path20 having the freezer chamber 40, as shown in FIG. 4, in the food flowpath; (b) fluidly connecting the flow control valve 54 to the inlet 44of the freezer chamber, the flow control valve configured to selectivelypermit or preclude passage of food product into the freezer chamber; (c)fluidly connecting the dispensing valve assembly 200 to an outlet of thefreezer chamber, the dispensing valve including the valve body 220defining the valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420, the valvereceiving cavity and the valve at least partly defining the dead space390 between the exterior 423 of the valve 420 and the valve receivingcavity; and (d) passing a treating solution through the dead space. Themethod contemplates wherein passing the treating solution through thedead space includes passing the treating solution from one of theexternal treating solution feed line 88, the internal treating solutionline, and the food flow path 20.

The method can include configuring the dispensing valve assembly 200 asa 3-way valve or a ball valve. In the method, the treating solution feedline can be the external path treating solution feed line, the internalpath treating solution feed line or the food flow path. The methodfurther contemplates configuring the dead space 390 to extend betweenthe valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420, the valve receivingcavity being sized to at least partly retain the valve, wherein thebody-valve seal 480, 480′ extends between the valve body and the valve.

A further method is disclosed including (a) providing the food flow path20 configured to pass food product from the freezer chamber 40 throughthe self-cleaning valve assembly 200, functioning as the dispensingvalve, the self-cleaning valve assembly having the dead space 390separate from the food flow path, the dead space at least partly definedby the valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420 moveable relative tothe valve receiving cavity; and (b) fluidly connecting the dead space tothe treating solution input line 80. The method can include passingtreating solution from one of the internal treating solution line, theexternal treating solution line 88 and the food flow path 20. The methodincludes configuring the dispensing valve, such as the self-cleaningvalve assembly 200, to divert food product from the food flow path 20through the multivalent port 370 to the recirculation line 50. It isunderstood the method can include configuring the self-cleaning valveassembly 200, as a dispensing valve, to include a ball valve having thevalve 420 with the alpha passage 430 and the beta passage 440. Themethod can include configuring the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 tofluidly connect the dead space 390 to the treating solution line 80simultaneous to passing the food product along the food flow path 20.Another step of the method includes configuring the self-cleaning valveassembly 200 to selectively either (i) pass food product along the foodflow path 20 and (ii) pass food product to the multivalent port 370 tothe recirculation line 50 separate from at least a portion of the foodflow path. Another step in the method can include configuring theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 to selectively expose the dead space390 to the treating solution. The method can further include configuringthe self-cleaning valve assembly 200 to continuously expose the deadspace 390 to the treating solution. The method includes configuring theself-cleaning valve assembly 200 as a 3-way valve. Similarly, the methodincludes configuring the self-cleaning valve assembly 200 as a ballvalve. The method can further include configuring the dead space 390 toextend between the valve receiving cavity 330 and the valve 420, whereinthe valve receiving cavity is sized to at least partly retain the valve,wherein the body-valve seal 480, 480′ extends between the valve body andthe valve.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa presently preferred embodiment, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are thereforeconsidered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Thescope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereofare intended to be embraced therein.

1. A food processor comprising: (a) a food flow path extending from anupstream portion to a downstream portion; (b) a freezer chamber in thefood flow path; and (c) a self-cleaning valve fluidly connected to thefood flow path, the self-cleaning valve including a valve body defininga valve receiving cavity and a valve moveably disposed within the valvereceiving cavity to define a dead space between an exterior surface ofthe valve and the valve receiving cavity, wherein the valve receivingcavity includes (i) a food flow path inlet port: (ii) a food flow pathoutlet port: (iii) an external path treating solution port; and (iv) amultivalent port, wherein the valve includes an alpha passage extendingbetween a first alpha passage port and a second alpha passage port, andwherein the valve is configured to fluidly connect the dead space to oneof the food flow path, an internal path treating solution line, and theexternal path treating solution port.
 2. The food processor of claim 1,wherein the valve includes a beta passage extending between a first betapassage port and a second beta passage port.
 3. The food processor ofclaim 1, wherein the valve includes a theta passage extending between afirst theta passage port and a second theta passage port.
 4. The foodprocessor of claim 1, further comprising a body-valve seal between thevalve body and the valve, and wherein the valve includes an externalchannel configured to selectively extend across the body-valve seal in aposition of the valve and configured to fluidly connected the dead spaceto a drain.
 5. The food processor of claim 1, wherein the valve includesa beta passage extending between a first beta passage port and a secondbeta passage port and an external channel, wherein the valve and thevalve body are configured to: (i) selectively fluidly connect the foodflow path inlet port to the food flow path outlet port; (ii) selectivelyfluidly connect the food flow path inlet port to the multivalent port;and (iii) selectively fluidly connect the dead space to a flush drainline.
 6. The food processor of claim 5, further comprising a thetapassage extending between a first theta passage port and a second thetapassage port, the first theta passage port opening to the dead space andthe second theta passage port opening to the alpha passage.
 7. The foodprocessor of claim 5, wherein the valve body and the valve areconfigured to inhibit fluid communication between the food flow pathinlet port and the dead space.
 8. A food processor comprising: (a) afood flow path extending from an upstream portion to a downstreamportion; (b) a freezer chamber in the food flow path; and (c) a flowcontrol valve connected to the food flow path, wherein the flow controlvalve is a self-cleaning valve; the self-cleaning valve comprising (i) avalve body defining a valve receiving cavity having at least one of anexternal path treating solution inlet port, an internal path treatingsolution inlet port, and a food flow path inlet port, (ii) a valve atleast partly disposed within the valve receiving cavity, and (iii) afirst body-valve seal and a spaced apart second body-valve seal each ofthe first body-valve seal and the second body-valve seal being disposedbetween the valve and the valve receiving cavity, wherein the valvereceiving cavity, the valve, the first body-valve seal and the secondbody-valve seal at least partly define a dead space between an exteriorof the valve and the valve receiving cavity.
 9. The food processor ofclaim 8, wherein the dead space is configured to fluidly communicatewith the external path treating solution inlet port.
 10. The foodprocessor of claim 8, wherein valve is configured to fluidly connect thedead space to the food flow path.
 11. The food processor of claim 8,wherein the valve is configured to fluidly connect the dead space to theinternal path treating solution inlet port.
 12. The food processor ofclaim 8, wherein the self-cleaning valve is removably connected to atleast one of the food flow path and the freezer chamber.
 13. The foodprocessor of claim 8, wherein the valve receiving cavity includes (i)the food flow path inlet port; (ii) a food flow path outlet port: (iii)the internal path treating solution inlet port, and (iv) a multivalentport; and the valve being moveable relative to the valve receivingcavity and the valve having an alpha passage extending between a firstalpha passage port and a second alpha passage port, a beta passageextending between a first beta passage port and a second beta passageport and an external channel, wherein the valve and the valve receivingcavity are configured to selectively: (i) fluidly connect the food flowpath inlet port to the food flow path outlet port; (ii) simultaneouslyfluidly connect (aa) the food flow path inlet port to the multivalentport and (bb) fluidly connect the alpha passage to the internal pathtreating solution inlet port; (iii) fluidly connect the internal pathtreating solution inlet port to one of the food flow path inlet port andthe food flow path outlet port; and (iv) simultaneously fluidly connect(cc) the internal path treating solution inlet port to the food flowpath inlet port and (dd) fluidly connect the multivalent port to thefood flow path outlet port.
 14. The food processor of claim 8, whereinthe valve receiving cavity further includes (i) the food flow path inletport; (ii) a food flow path outlet port; and (iii) a multivalent port;and the valve having an alpha passage extending between a first alphapassage port and a second alpha passage port, a beta passage extendingbetween a first beta passage port and a second beta passage port and anexternal channel, wherein the valve and the valve receiving cavity areconfigured to selectively: (i) fluidly connect the food flow path inletport to the food flow path outlet port; (ii) fluidly connect the foodflow path inlet port to the multivalent port; and (iii) simultaneouslyfluidly connect (aa) the external path treating solution inlet port tothe dead space and (bb) the dead space to a flush drain line.
 15. Thefood processor of claim 8, further comprising a theta passage in thevalve, the theta passage extending between a first theta passage portand a second theta passage port.
 16. The food processor of claim 8,wherein the valve and the valve receiving cavity are configured toinhibit fluid communication between the food flow path inlet port andthe dead space.
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. A food processorcomprising: (a) a food flow path extending from an upstream portion to adownstream portion; (b) a freezer chamber in the food flow path; and (c)a self-cleaning valve fluidly connected to the food flow path, theself-cleaning valve including a valve body defining a valve receivingcavity and a valve moveably disposed within the valve receiving cavityto define a dead space between an exterior surface of the valve and thevalve receiving cavity, wherein the valve includes an alpha passageextending between a first alpha passage port and a second alpha passageport, and a body-valve seal between the valve body and the valve, andwherein the valve includes an external channel configured to selectivelyextend across the body-valve seal in a position of the valve and isconfigured to fluidly connected the dead space to a drain.
 20. The foodprocessor of claim 19, wherein the valve includes a beta passageextending between a first beta passage port and a second beta passageport.
 21. The food processor of claim 19, wherein the valve includes atheta passage extending between a first theta passage port and a secondtheta passage port.